Fatal Jump

"An essential one-stop shop for all you need to know about the evolution and emergence of infectious diseases. Reperant gives us a comprehensive, compelling, and beautifully written account of the origin of epidemics, seamlessly combining data from the evolutionary, ecological, and genomic fields. A truly remarkable achievement."

"Leslie Reperant traces the source of infections that sicken and kill humans by meticulously describing the origins of infection-causing organisms and their manipulative and unpredictable behavior in hosts ranging from ants and grasshoppers to wild and domestic animals. A masterpiece of research and writing and a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered about the origins of infectious diseases."

"Leslie Reperant's book eloquently brings together threads from many different areas of biology, epidemiology, and veterinary science. She creates a marvelous tapestry to show how pathogens emerge, get established, and spread in host populations. There are new insights here that are fundamental to our understanding of how pathogens impact the health of individuals and the populations they live in. Ecologists, epidemiologists, and veterinarians will all learn something new from Dr. Reperant's insightful and multilayered perspective. This book is also a first-class introductory ticket to understanding disease for economists and politicians."

"An intriguing account of the complex interaction between pathogens and us, through deep history to now and COVID-19. The narrative probes issues with evolution, discusses our defense mechanisms, and looks at how viruses in particular jump from other warm-blooded vertebrates into us. This is an easy, informative, and interesting read."

"Perhaps the most encyclopedic book yet about why diseases have always plagued humanity and why so many new ones are emerging. The tale ranges from how infection among the earliest living things shaped life on Earth—including us—to how the evolutionary war between germs and their victims molded our past and threatens our future. Above all, it shows why COVID was no surprise and why, unless we make some big changes, more pandemics like it—or worse—are coming."